Socket wrench adapter



Feb. 3, 1959 N. c. MORROW 2,87

SOCKET WRENCH ADAPTER Filed June 19, 1956 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR NOLEN C. MORROW SGCKET WRENCH ADAPTER Nolen C. Morrow, St. Charles, Mo.

Application lune 19, 1956, gerial No. 592,31S

3 Claims. (Cl. 81-4185) This invention relates to socket wrench adapters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a socket wrench adapter for all three-eighth inch standard size socket wrenches which will bring the three-eighth inch drive up to one-half inch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a socket wrench adapter of the above type which can be used on air wrenches, speed wrenches, ratchets and power handles and extensions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a socket Wrench adapter bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts,

is inexpensive to manufacture, and efficient in use.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in operative use; and

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, represents the handle portion of a socket wrench provided at the end remote from the socket with the usual flange 11 and the polygonal cross section drive 12, substantially as illustrated.

In the practice of my invention an adapter is provided which will increase the size of the drive 12 from threeeighths of an inch to one-half of an inch and includes a rectangular housing adapted to fit onto the drive 12 having a rectangular top wall 13, a rectangular bottom wall 14, a rectangular end Wall 15, and rectangular side walls 16. The open end of the housing is beveled as at 17 to facilitate the insertion thereof onto the drive 12.

The top wall 13 is provided with a rectangular opening 18 therethrough, the opposite edges of the top wall 13 on opposite sides of the opening 18 being formed with the grooves 19 extending laterally. A rectangular leaf spring 20 is adapted to fit into the grooves 19 across the opening 18 and fixedly carries on its upper surface a hemispherical detent 21 adapted to engage the corresponding recess 22 provided in the drive member 23.

2,871,744 Patented Feb. 3, 1859 ice The bottom wall 14 on the upper surface thereof is also provided with a hemispherical recess 24 which receives therewithin the spring detent 25 usually associated with the drive 12. I I

Mechanics and auto body workers will find many uses for the adapter. It can be used on any three-eighth inch drive and does not extend the socket out any further. Therefore, it can be used in the same manner as before the adapter was placed on the wrench. The spring 20 and hemispherical detent 21 will hold the adapter in the drive 23.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A socket wrench adapter comprising a rectangular housing open at one end and adapted to fit on the drive shaft of a socket wrench whereby to increase the size of the drive, means for removably retaining the adapter on the drive, and second means for removably retaining the adapter within a drive socket, said housing having a wall provided with a rectangular opening and with grooves in opposite side edges of said opening, said second means comprising a rectangular leaf spring having opposite ends seated within said grooves when flexed, and a hemispherical detent carried by said leaf spring and adapted to fit within a corresponding recess provided in the drive socket.

2. A socket wrench adapter according to claim 1, wherein said open end of said housing is beveled inwardly to facilitate the insertion thereof on the socket Wrench drive.

3. An adapter for operatively connecting a relatively small drive of a socket wrench to a relatively large socket, said adapter comprising a housing having an open end and adapted to fit on the drive of a socket wrench, means in said housing for removably retaining the same on the drive, said housing having a wall provided with an elongated opening and with grooves in opposite end edges of said opening, a substantially flat leaf spring disposed in said opening and having its opposite ends seated in said grooves, and a detent provided intermediate the ends of said spring and adapted to be received in a recess in a drive socket, whereby to removably retain said housing in the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

